Within easy reach of Adelaide, Mount Remarkable National Park is an ideal place to take the family. There’s lots of diverse wildlife and campgrounds with good facilities. The park is a popular destination for bushwalking, with trails for all ages and abilities. There are some incredible views to be had – the 960m high Mount Remarkable Summit presides over the Willochra Plain and looks out to the Spencer Gulf. The Willowie Forest area offers a network of mountain biking and walking trails that meander through foothills of the Mount Remarkable Range.

Opening hours

Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Closures and safety

This park is closed on days of Catastrophic Fire Danger and may also be closed on days of Extreme Fire Danger.

You can determine the current fire danger rating by checking the Fire Ban District map on the CFS website.

Contact details

Natural Resource Centre - Clare

When to visit

The mild temperatures from April to October are the most comfortable for walking. It’s also the best time of year to see wildlife and admire the park’s spectacular native flora.

Summers are warm to hot with little rainfall. During the summer months, temperatures range from 30-45°C, making walking more challenging. Make sure you take plenty of water on walks in this area.

Getting there

The park is located 45km north of Port Pirie. Access is from National Highway One via Mambray Creek.

Alligator Gorge can be reached via a picturesque – but sometimes challenging – drive commencing 1km south of Wilmington on Main North Road. This road is very steep and is unsuitable for caravans, camper trailers and buses.

You can walk into the park from the adjacent town of Melrose, which lies at the foot of Mount Remarkable.

Please note: There are no public roads that pass through Mount Remarkable National Park. Horrocks Pass and Port Germein Gorge are the nearest public roads to the park where you can pass over the Flinders Ranges in an east-west direction.

Accessibility

Parks are for all to enjoy, we would love to hear from you about your experience in nature. You can share your comments, pictures and videos with us and others by tagging @NationalParksSA on Facebook, Instagram or email us.

See and do

Trails

Wirra Water Loop (1.6km)

An interpretive section of the Mambray Creek Walk explains the importance of water in the area as you explore rocky river beds.

The trail is compacted gravel and suitable for prams. It may be accessible to advanced wheelchair users as it is a consistent width and flat, although it is loose gravel.

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs are permitted in most public places and are therefore welcome in South Australia’s parks and reserves. Assistance dogs must be appropriately restrained on a lead and remain under your effective control at all times while in a park or reserve.

As per the dogs in parks and reserves policy, if the dog is not an accredited assistance dog, they must be trained to assist a person with a disability to alleviate that disability and meet standards of hygiene and behaviour appropriate for a dog in a public place. However, refusal may be given if the person with the disability is unable to produce evidence the dog is an assistance dog with the appropriate training.

Before taking your assistance dog into a park that does not normally allow dogs, it is highly recommended that you contact us so we can provide you with the latest information on any potential hazards within specific parks that may affect your dog. Please contact the park via the contact details provided under the contact tab or call the information line on (+61 8) 8204 1910.

Picnic and barbeque facilities are available at the Mambray Creek Day Visitor Area and Blue Gum Flat.

Non-potable rain water is available at numerous locations throughout the park. Please note that water availability is dependant on seasonal rainfall and you should always carry your own drinking water. Please refer to the park map for further information on the location of water points within the park.

Communal fire places are available at the Baroota Ruins, Mambray Creek, Native Pines and Red Gums campground grounds. Collection of firewood is not permitted in the park and you must bring your own firewood with you. Campfires are not allowed during the fire danger season.

There are no rubbish bins in the park and you must take your rubbish with you when you leave.

Outback Road Report

Important: Collection of firewood within National Parks is prohibited. Dead wood plays a vital role in providing shelter for animals and adding nutrients to the soil.

Pests and diseases

Phytophthora (fy-TOFF-thora), otherwise known as root-rot fungus, is killing our native plants and threatens the survival of animals depending on plants for food and shelter.

This introduced fungus can be found in plant roots, soil and water. Help stop the spread by using hygiene stations, staying on tracks and trails and by complying with all Phytophthora management signs.

Plants and animals

You will see animals everywhere in Mount Remarkable and many of them are not shy. Goannas lurk on rocks as you walk by, emus trot through the camps and along the tracks, and kookaburras mock you while you cook dinner. You may even spot an elusive echidna. A birdwatcher’s delight, the park has 117 native bird species including brightly coloured variegated wrens, Australian ringneck parrots and wedge-tailed eagles.

Flora and fauna species lists

To download flora (plants) and fauna (animals) species lists for this park, use the 'Create Simple Species List' tab under 'Flora Tools' or 'Fauna Tools' in NatureMaps.

Traditional owners

Aboriginal peoples have occupied, enjoyed and managed the lands and waters of this State for thousands of generations. For Aboriginal first nations, creation ancestors laid down the laws of the Country and bestowed a range of customary rights and obligations to the many Aboriginal Nations across our state.

There are many places across the State that have great spiritual significance to Aboriginal first nations. At some of these places Aboriginal cultural protocols, such as restricted access, are promoted and visitors are asked to respect the wishes of Traditional Owners.

In places where protocols are not promoted visitors are asked to show respect by not touching or removing anything, and make sure you take all your rubbish with you when you leave.

Aboriginal peoples continue to play an active role in caring for their Country, including in parks across South Australia.

Bushwalking

An extensive network of bushwalking trails gives visitors the opportunity to experience the dramatic scenery, spectacular geological landforms and native wildlife of the Southern Flinders Ranges.

These trails cater for all ages and levels of fitness, varying in length and difficulty from challenging overnight treks and the long distance Heysen Trail to the easier and shorter walks at Alligator Gorge and Mambray Creek.

Please note: Overnight hikes in Mount Remarkable National Park are not permitted during the Fire Danger Season, usually 1 November to 30 April. During this period, hike-in campsites are closed. The hike-in campsites can not be booked online. Please contact the Natural Resource Centre - Clare to arrange your stay.

Heysen Trail

Part of the Heysen Trail passes through Mount Remarkable National Park. If you plan to walk the Heysen Trail, use topographic maps or the Heysen Trail Northern Guidebook. When walking on the Heysen Trail through private land, please keep to the trail. The Heysen Trail is closed during the fire danger season.

Mountain biking

The Willowie Forest trail network is a soft adventure, mountain bike trail opportunity that can also be used by walkers. The historical forest access tracks offer cyclists the chance to ride trails of varying distance from the smaller Echidna loop to the longer Monitor Loop that follows along the foothills of the Mt Remarkable Range.

You can ride your bike on public roads and any specific cycling trails and tracks on offer in this park.

Please obey signs and use the trail classifications and descriptions, where available, to select trails suitable to your ability. Many trails are shared, so always keep an eye out for others. Generally, cyclists give way to pedestrians. Please be considerate of all trail users at all times.

A well-established campground with 54 campsites set among the river red gums. The sites are level with offer various levels of shade and protection from the wind.

Baroota Ruins campground

Suitable for: tents, camper trailers, camper vans and caravans

Facilities: toilets and communal fireplaces

Located near the western entrance to the park, this campground has 11 sites that offer various levels of shade and protection from the wind.

Walk-in camping (closed during fire danger season)

Suitable for: tents

Facilities: none

There is 11 walk-in campsites available for hikers in the park. These campsites are not accessible by vehicles and are closed during bushfire danger season (usually November to April). These campgrounds can not be booked online. Please contact the Natural Resource Centre - Clare on (+61 8) 8841 3400 to organise your stay.

Native Pines and Red Gums group campgrounds

Suitable for: tents

Facilities: toilets, communal area and fire pit

Two large group campsites ideal for school, community and family groups. Native Pines can fit 40 people, and Red Gums 60 people. Call the Clare Natural Resources Centre to book.

Accommodation

Please provide your own bed linen, pillows, blankets, towels and tea towels. Crockery, cutlery and kitchen utensils are supplied. The lodge is solar powered and is designed to run small appliances only, eg. radio/cd player.

Please provide all bedding, linen, pillows, towels, tea-towels and your esky. All cooking utensils, crockery, cutlery is provided. This cabin is operated with solar electricity for lighting only there are no power points.

Want to join others and become a Park Friend?

You could join others to help look after a park. You can take part in working bees, training and other events.

Become a Campground Host

Combine your love of camping with doing a good deed by becoming a volunteer campground host in this park.

A campground host is a volunteer who stays at the park either for a specific peak period, like the Easter break or a long weekend, or an extended period of time (up to a few months) to support park rangers.

If you are passionate about the environment, a keen camper, like to meet people from all around the world, and are a happy to help, then hosting could be right up your alley.

Mountain biking

Trail Users Code of Practice

To protect the surrounding environment and to ensure the safety of all riders and shared trail users, please be aware of the international Trail Users Code of Practice when using shared trails. Important points to remember include:

plan your ride

comply with all signs

ride only on formed tracks/trails

share the trail - obey give way rules

avoid riding in wet, muddy conditions

ride lightly and leave no trace or rubbish

control your bike within your limits

clean your bike to avoid the spread of weeds or plant diseases

carry sufficient food and drinking water

respect the rights of others

tell others about the code

Camping

When camping in a National Park, it's important to remember the following:

Always let someone responsible know your travel plans, especially when travelling in remote areas. It's a good idea to let them know when you expect to return.

Check the weather forecast before you leave, including overnight temperatures on the Bureau of Meteorology. Even during very mild weather, the nights can get very cold.

The quality and quantity of water cannot be guaranteed within parks. Please bring plenty of water and food to be self-sufficient.

Always camp in designated sites (where applicable) - do not camp beneath trees with overhanging branches, as they can drop without warning. It's also a good idea to check that there no insect nests nearby.

Check to make sure you're not camping in a natural waterway, flash floods can happen anytime.

If camp fires are permitted, you must bring your own firewood, as the collection of firewood within National Parks is prohibited. Extinguish your camp fire with water (not sand or dirt) until the hissing sound stops.

Campground maps

Maps on your mobile

If you have a smartphone or tablet you can download the free Avenza PDF Map app and have interactive national park maps on hand when you need them.

The app uses your device's built-in GPS to plot your real-time location within the park onto a map. The app can be used without a network connection and without roaming charges. You can also measure area and distance, plot photos and drop placemark pins.

How to get it working on your device:

1. Download the Avenza PDF maps app from the app store whilst you are still in range (its free!).
2. Open up the app and click the shopping cart icon.
3. Click ‘Find’ and type the name of the national park or reserve you are looking for.
4. Click on the map you are after and install it (all our maps are free).
5. You will now find a list of your installed maps on the home page of the Avenza app.
6. Use our maps through the Avenza PDF map app while in the park and never take a wrong turn again.

Other fees and permits

Partial park closure

The Napperby Block section of Mount Remarkable National Park will be closed from 6:00 am on Saturday 24 November 2018 until 11:30 pm on Friday 30 November 2018.Details >

Trail closure

The Mount Cavern Trek in Mount Remarkable National Park has been closed due to safety concerns until further notice. Details >

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge and respect the Traditional Custodians whose ancestral lands we live and work upon and we pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We acknowledge and respect the deep spiritual connection and the relationship that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have to Country.

We also pay our respects to the cultural authority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their nations in South Australia, as well as those across Australia.

Seven Sisters and the Coloured Stone by Dorcas Miller, a Mirning Woman from Koonibba, South Australia